2nd November 2001 Archive

We all know how Microsoft likes to bully its many 'partners', so it comes as no surprise that the Beast has decided to apply its partnership muscle to silence the software and network security research community.

As the cries of 'sellout' over the DoJ's proposed antitrust settlement with Microsoft grow louder, it looks increasingly likely that the 18 US States that have been party to the action will refuse to sign up for the deal, and peel off.

If you were undecided whether flat-rate Internet access is helping or hindering the Internet economy, worry no longer. Because today, Flat Rate Internet Access Call Origination (FRIACO) is a good thing.

Online recruitment agency StepStone has shut down its UK office with the loss of 135 jobs and pulled back in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands and Luxembourg to the tune of 526 jobs. The decision comes on the same day that StepStone released its Q3 results and announced a new CEO.

Amazon.com has launched a virtual store card, just in time for the US holiday shopping season (which kicks off Veterans Day, 11 November). And just like real store cards, the rates are fairly unattractive: the APR is 22.9 per cent, while the default rate is 26.9 per cent.

BT has made its first move into broadcasting by applying for a "non-exclusive local delivery service licence" from the Independent Television Commission (ITC). The licence - which still has to be approved by the DTi and Oftel - will allow the monster telco to provide "television services" over cable or phone networks (we're talking ADSL here).